On the eve of the 2026 season, the AFL boss, Andrew Dillon, has hinted at Olympic-sized plans for the AFL while emphasising Origin and Opening Round are here to stay.
Dillon was in Sydney on Monday to promote the Opening Round which includes home games for all four NSW and Queensland clubs and just one match in Victoria, a format which he says has resulted in bumper crowds for round one.
“What we’ve found in the last couple of years is that focus on NSW and Queensland is helping to grow awareness in NSW and Queensland and at the same time it hasn’t taken away from our round one,” Dillon said
“The last two round ones have been the two highest attended rounds we’ve ever had of over 400,000 – last year 451,000 people attended, a record for round one.”
But looking slightly beyond the impending season, Dillon revealed he has grand ambitions for getting Australian rules football on to the Brisbane 2032 Olympics stage.
The AFL chief said he had spoken “at a high level” about bringing Australian rules to the Olympics with Brisbane 2032 boss, Andrew Liveris.
“The reality is there’s a precedent for that back in 1956 in Melbourne where Australian Rules football was an exhibition sport,” Dillon said.
“I think our sport is a sport that should be on that stage, and we’ll work closely with the Olympic Committee on what form that takes.”
The next stage of the AFL’s global plans were in the spotlight in January when Dillon travelled to India, however he wouldn’t commit to whether AFL games could be played there in a similar vein to the NRL’s Las Vegas opening round.
“It’s a good way for them to start their season,” Dillon said of the NRL’s two matches at Allegiant Stadium. “We do things differently.
“What I did see in India is a whole lot of potential for our game. Nearly 10,000 boys and girls playing the game. I was fortunate to see the national championships with 10 states registered there.”
Close to home, Dillon said he had positive feedback from the players involved in the recent State of Origin game between Western Australia and Victoria.
He suggested the concept would continue to evolve over the next three to five years, but didn’t confirm an Allies team of players from Queensland and NSW would definitely feature.
“The feedback was they [the players] would have preferred to extend the time in camp,” Dillon said
“But it is certainly here to stay in one form or another.
He was also positive about the effect of the various rule changes, though some, including Melbourne ruck Max Gawn, have expressed concern.
“What we will see is changes that will speed up the game and keep the ball in motion longer, that’s what our fans want, fast moving footy,” Dillon said.
